And on Monday, Alabama coach Nick Saban said the redshirt junior could even fill in as an edge rusher.

Holcombe's reaction?

"That's the coaches' decision," he said. "If they want me to do that, I'm more than happy to do whatever I have to do to help this team out."

Holcombe is confident he could buttress the corps of outside linebackers whose depth has been impinged after Terrell Lewis and Christian Miller went down with season-ending injuries and Anfernee Jennings suffered a high-ankle sprain that could keep him sidelined for multiple games.

That's because Alabama has a history of cross-training linebackers.

"It definitely helps," said Shaun Dion Hamilton, who started at the Mike spot last weekend in the Tide's victory over Florida State. "If something happens, the next man can step up and not lose a beat. It all goes back to Coach Saban getting us ready for a situation before it happens."

In many ways, Saban formulates these kinds of contingency plans before players even set foot on campus. Prior to his enrollment, freshman Van Darius Cowan anticipated playing inside at Alabama. He is now learning how to attack from the edge. In the nine months since he's been on campus, Dylan Moses has practiced with both linebacker position groups.

With linebackers Rashaan Evans (groin) and Anfernee Jennings (ankle), Saban said it's too early to tell if they'll be able to play Saturday but noted that both are "making good progress in their rehab."

"If they have a chance to do some things in practice, there may be a chance that they can play in the game," Saban said.

As far as new injuries, right guard Lester Cotton and linebacker Dylan Moses will miss practice Monday with unspecified injuries. Neither injury is serious, though, Saban said. Cotton will return to practice Tuesday while Moses will "be back soon," Saban said.